The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is the gateway exam for commissioning into the Indian Air Force in various branches—flying, ground duty (technical), and ground duty (non-technical). It is held twice a year as AFCAT 1 and AFCAT 2. Clearing the cut off is essential: only those who meet or exceed it move on to the next stages (AFSB interview, medical, etc.).
A “cut off” is the minimum qualifying normalized score that candidates must achieve. It depends on exam difficulty, number of applicants, seats available, and performance trends. In the AFCAT 2 2023 cycle, the cut off became a critical benchmark for aspirants hoping to secure a chance at further selection.
AFCAT 2 2023: Exam Snapshot & Result
The AFCAT 2 2023 exam was conducted on 25, 26, and 27 August 2023. Many aspirants appeared across centers nationwide. After processing results and normalization, the IAF declared that the AFCAT 2 2023 cut off (normalized marks) stood at 151 marks.
This means any candidate scoring 151 or more (after normalization) qualified for further rounds (AFSB etc.). Candidates below this threshold were deemed ineligible to proceed.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam dates | 25–27 August 2023 |
| Cut off (normalized) | 151 marks |
| Branches covered | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) |
| Next stage | AFSB interview, medical, final merit |
How Was the 151 Cut Off Determined?
Several factors influence AFCAT cut offs, and for the 2023 cycle, they played out as follows:
Exam Difficulty: Reports from candidates suggest the exam level was moderate to slightly difficult in parts (especially in mathematics and reasoning). For easier/more straightforward sections, higher scoring candidates pushed the barrier up.
Number of Applicants: A higher volume of aspirants intensifies competition, nudging the cut off upward.
Available Vacancies: If fewer seats are open versus the number of qualifiers, the cut off will be higher to limit the shortlist.
Normalization Across Shifts: Because the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, raw scores are normalized to offset variation in difficulty between shifts. The “151” is a normalized mark, not raw total.
Cut Off Trends Over the Years
To understand 2023 in context, here’s a look at historical AFCAT cut off trends (AFCAT 1 and 2) over recent years:
| Year | AFCAT 1 Cut Off | AFCAT 2 Cut Off |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 165 | 157 |
| 2022 | 157 | 157 |
| 2023 | 155 | 151 |
From the table, we see that after peaking in 2021, cut offs dipped gradually through 2023, perhaps due to exam difficulty, shifting candidate quality, or altered vacancy numbers. Thus, candidates in 2023 needed at least 151 to qualify.
What 151 Means in Practical Terms
151 out of 300 is essentially 50.33% of total marks (before normalization).
Because of negative marking (–1 for wrong answers, +3 for correct ones), accuracy matters more than brute attempt count.
Just crossing 151 does not guarantee final selection; it only opens the pathway to further rounds. Performance in AFSB and medical fitness plays a major role too.
Aspirants often aim well above the cut off (typically 165–180 or higher) to buffer against normalization and competitive ranking.
Challenges Aspirants Faced in 2023
Normalization: Many candidates felt raw marks didn’t reflect their effort if their shift was tougher.
Sectional Balance: Even though there is no official sectional cut off, weak performance in one section drags the overall score.
Competition: The high number of serious aspirants pushes the threshold upward.
Psychological Pressure: Candidates under stress often make avoidable mistakes.
Tips from 2023 for Future Aspirants
Focus on accuracy over attempting too many uncertain questions.
Strong foundation in all subjects (English, numerical, reasoning, general awareness).
Mock tests and timed practice to simulate real exam pressure and pacing.
Understand normalization and strategize your attempts accordingly.
Balanced preparation—don’t ignore weaker sections just because others are “easier” to improve.
How Coaching & Guidance Help
Many aspirants find guided help useful, especially to simulate shifts, understand normalization effects, and work on weaker areas. That’s where institutions like Doon Defence Dreamers (best nda coaching academy in dehradun) fit in naturally. With structured mocks, expert faculty, and feedback-driven improvement, they bridge the gap between self-study and reality. Aspirants regularly mention that such mentorship gives a clearer target and keeps morale high during preparation.
After the Cut Off: What Happens Next
If you clear the cut off:
You’ll be shortlisted for the AFSB interview (Personality Tests, Group Tasks, PPDT, etc.).
You’ll undergo medical fitness evaluation as per IAF standards.
Finally, a merit list is prepared incorporating written test and interview scores, and allocation to branches.
If you don’t clear:
Many aspirants reappear in subsequent cycles, often with improved strategy and better coaching.
Analyze where you lost marks—in reasoning, reading speed, or general awareness—and focus on those areas before the next attempt.
What to Aim for (A Target Range)
Given the 151 cut off, a good target for future cycles might be 170–200+ marks. That buffer helps absorb normalization, unpredictable exam difficulty, and ranking competition.
Common Myths & Misconceptions
Myth: “Just clearing cut off means success.” No—cut off only qualifies you for next stages; ranking and interview performance determine final selection.
Myth: “You can guess many and clear.” With negative marking, careless guessing hurts more than helps.
Myth: “Normalization is unfair.” While no system is perfect, normalization ensures parity across shifts, which is better than raw-scoring across varied question sets.
Conclusion
AFCAT 2 2023’s cut off of 151 (normalized) serves as a clear benchmark of what it takes to compete. It’s a reminder that mere participation is not enough—accuracy, consistent preparation, shift awareness, and smart strategy are essential.
To aspirants of 2025 and beyond: aim higher than just the cut off, stay disciplined in your study and mocks, and consider mentorship (like that from Doon Defence Dreamers) to refine your strategy. With grit, smart planning, and consistency, you won’t just aim to clear 151—you’ll aim to command a comfortable margin beyond it.
